Order from us for quality, customized work in due time of your choice.
In Body Size Stigmatization in Preschool Children, Musher-Eizenman examines childrens control attributions to body size and weight and how these attributions affect childrens psychological state and success in their social environment. The author put forward several hypotheses, the first of which is that children who are dissatisfied with their bodies are more prone to low self-esteem and less likely to achieve social success. Second, childrens perceptions of body size and weight controllability lead to stigmatization (Musher-Eizenman, 2004). The study participants were 42 children aged 4-6 years (18 girls and 24 boys) from white middle-class families. Their body mass index ranged from 12.8 to 18.4, which is expected (Musher-Eizenman, 2004). Children were shown figurines of different body sizes and fat content and asked to determine their attitudes toward them.
The authors came to the conclusion that most children choose thin and slender figures as goodies and potential friends. 55% of children chose a lean figure, and another 38% were slender (Musher-Eizenman, 2004). Children begin to attribute fullness to negative personal qualities at such a young age. Thus, being overweight does indeed lead to social exclusion and low self-esteem. Children who believed that body weight entirely depends on the person had more stringent prejudices against overweight people.
According to the materials studied in the class, it is possible to explain the negative characterization of overweight people with feelings of guilt and anxiety. People in uncomfortable situations tend to look for explanations for the current undesirable situation in order to cope with the anxiety that the same thing could happen to them. If a person directly attributes their ability to control the situation with consequences, they experience anger and social distancing.
Reference
Musher-Eizenman, D. R. (2004). Body Size Stigmatization in Preschool Children: The Role of Control Attributions. Journal of Pediatric Psychology, 29(8), 613620.
Order from us for quality, customized work in due time of your choice.